Question
24 May
- Japanese
-
English (US)
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Russian
Question about English (US)
Do they mean the same thing? If so, which sounds the most natural? Which one would you use?
“Now that I think about it”, I should’ve done that.
“Thinking about it now” I should’ve done that.
“In retrospect”, I should’ve done that.
“Looking back”, I should’ve done that.
Do they mean the same thing? If so, which sounds the most natural? Which one would you use?
“Now that I think about it”, I should’ve done that.
“Thinking about it now” I should’ve done that.
“In retrospect”, I should’ve done that.
“Looking back”, I should’ve done that.
“Now that I think about it”, I should’ve done that.
“Thinking about it now” I should’ve done that.
“In retrospect”, I should’ve done that.
“Looking back”, I should’ve done that.
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- Swedish
- English (US)
They mean more or less the same thing.
I would say: “Now that I think about it, I should’ve done that.”
- Japanese
- English (US)
- Japanese
- Japanese
- English (US)
You mean you want to add phrase "I should've done that." with “it was the best birthday in my life”, in that case it would not make any sense, I think. @zu_12
Highly-rated answerer
- Swedish
- English (US)
- Swedish
- English (US)
@zu_12
You could say:
Now that I think about it, it was the best birthday of my life.
Thinking about it now, it was the best birthday of my life.
Looking back at it, it was the best birthday of my life.
I would not use in retrospect before that since it implies that something was bad.
- Japanese
@Mobin21 I mean, if I want to say “it was the best birthday in my life” instead of "I should've done that”.
- Japanese
@Notna
Then, for something good, I can use all of them, but for something bad, I can use 1, 2 and 4, right?
Then, for something good, I can use all of them, but for something bad, I can use 1, 2 and 4, right?
- Swedish
- English (US)
@zu_12 Just don’t use “in retrospect” with something good. It can only be used with bad things afterwards. For example: You can say: In retrospect, I should not have done that. Don’t say: In retrospect, it was the best birthday of my life.
All the others can be used as you please.
- Japanese
@Notna That makes sense! Thank you so much!!
- English (US)
Ok in that case 2nd last may be discarded only. Other choices will be correct.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
- English (US)
@zu_12 You are most welcome
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
“Now that I think about it” sounds like you've recently changed your mind about "it".
“Thinking about it now” just sounds awkward.
“In retrospect” sounds like you've realized something that you didn't know/understand in the past.
“Looking back” is the best choice for your example:
"Looking back, I realize it was the best birthday in my life."
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
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